Retaining clip for reagent test slides

Abstract

A retaining clip for retaining reagent test slides in a stacked arrangement is formed as a unitary member and has first, second and third plates, each having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the first plate pivots towards the inner surface of the second plate, and the inner surface of the third plate also pivots such that the inner surfaces of the first and third plates at least partially face each other upon pivoting. The inner surfaces of the first and third plates are separated by a distance to accommodate the reagent test slides in a stacked arrangement. Alternatively, the third and second plates can be fixed rigidly to each other with only the first plate pivoting to at least partially face the third plate upon pivoting.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A dry chemical reagent test slide, which comprises:
 a frame having opposite lateral edges; and 
 a film portion supported by the frame and being coated with a chemical reagent; 
 wherein each of the opposite lateral edges has formed therein a recess; and 
 wherein the frame is trapezoidal in shape. 
 
     
     
       2. A dry chemical reagent test slide as defined by  claim 1 , which further comprises:
 a front edge and a rear edge disposed opposite the front edge, the front edge and the rear edge being situated between the opposite lateral edges, the reagent test slide further having a longitudinal centerline; and 
 wherein the reagent test slide has an orientation notch formed in one of the front edge and the rear edge thereof, the orientation notch being offset from the longitudinal centerline of the reagent test slide. 
 
     
     
       3. A dry chemical reagent test slide as defined by  claim 2 , wherein the orientation notch is formed in the front edge of the reagent test slide. 
     
     
       4. In combination:
 at least one reagent test slide, the at least one reagent test slide including a frame having opposite lateral edges and a recess formed in at least one of the opposite lateral edges, and a film portion supported by the frame and being coated with a chemical reagent; and 
 a slide injector mechanism, the slide injector mechanism including a pair of spaced apart members for at least partially receiving therebetween the at least one reagent test slide, and a resilient slide retainer mounted on at least one member of the pair of spaced apart members, the resilient slide retainer being at least partially receivable by the recess of the at least one reagent test slide to retain the at least one reagent test slide on the slide injector mechanism.